The productivity, interconnectedness, and potential for innovation we expect in today’s business operations aren’t possible without the right IT tools. But while they make up the backbone of every tech stack, they’re also a prime source of vulnerabilities that can disrupt operations and derail projects if not addressed in time.
In this article, we examine the processes through which IT tools become vulnerable and offer tips on securing your tech stack.
IT Tools Can Become Vulnerable
Inadequate governance of IT tools endangers your data, operations, and overall cybersecurity posture. These security vulnerabilities can then lead to severe consequences across your organization.
Common Security Vulnerabilities In The IT Infrastructure
For example, forgetting to replace default configurations like admin passwords or open ports with custom, inaccessible ones jeopardize network stability. Similarly, inadequate access controls mean attackers who acquire low-level access may escalate their privileges and gain unauthorized entry to core systems or exfiltrate sensitive data.
Shadow IT is another concern in environments where management doesn’t provide clear policies or existing tools don’t perform adequately. Well-meaning team members may overlook such tools’ lack of security features and introduce vulnerabilities by adopting them.
Improper transmission and integration can also cause problems. For example, open-source tools or IoT devices might transmit data without encryption, drastically increasing the chances of a breach. Meanwhile, not implementing secure APIs or permissions when integrating with internal systems or third-party services creates room for data exposure, manipulation, and other exploits.
The Risks Of Using Multiple Tools In A Tech Stack
It’s become standard practice to rely on multiple IT tools to streamline everyday business operations. Development inside specialized Integrated Development Environments (IDEs), version control via GitHub, and project management tools improve flexibility and efficiency. However, this technological diversity also introduces additional security challenges.
The security policies for different tools may vary in effectiveness and scope. Even if your cyber defenses are sound, a third-party vendor whose tool you depend on may not be as thorough.
Generally speaking, more tools introduce more problems. On the one hand, each new account and dependency is a potential weak spot that increases your attack surface. On the other hand, adding new tools to an already complex stack makes monitoring and responding to incidents more challenging.
How to Secure Your Tech Stack?
Maintaining a tech stack’s security calls for a holistic approach that addresses vulnerabilities related to systems, integrations, and people.
Password management is a top priority since exposed credentials are the root cause of the vast majority of cyber incidents. Implementing a password manager for IT teams lets them take advantage of unique, complex, securely stored passwords together with simplified credential sharing and secure autofill.
Importantly, such a tool allows IT teams to enforce strong account security policies and, in many cases, immediately revoke access when suspicious activity is detected through integrated security systems.
Remember that the baseline password generation through managers is only effective when combined with multi-factor authentication (MFA). Whether through secure authenticator apps or biometrics, MFA ensures that compromised passwords aren’t enough to take control of an account.
Stringent access control policies complete the security verification process. Adopting Zero Trust and Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) policies establishes an account hierarchy that’s both difficult to exploit and easy to monitor. Additionally, it helps ensure that colleagues have access to all resources relevant to their work.
Speaking of colleagues, no tech stack can be considered secure if you don’t address human error. Training and regular security drills will instill positive cybersecurity habits and make colleagues less likely to fall for even sophisticated social engineering methods. This security awareness training educates employees on identifying threats such as phishing emails, suspicious links, and unsafe browsing behavior, reinforcing a proactive mindset towards cybersecurity across the organization.
If your business is on a tight budget, it’s recommended to first test tools in their free or premium versions or read reviews like this NordPass free vs. premium comparison. On top of this, if you can’t hire professional cybersecurity experts to create training for your teams, consider utilizing ready-made security awareness courses or free educational resources provided by reputable cybersecurity organizations.
Conclusion
Every tool in your tech stack has the potential to either advance your organization’s goals or become the catalyst of its undoing. Ensuring that the tools themselves are vetted and secure while committing to maintaining both them and your staff’s competencies will keep that stack working for, not against you.